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    Published: Aug 25, 2023 · Modified: Jul 12, 2023 · By Susan

    Slow Cooker Ground Turkey Spinach Pepper Jack Casserole

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    Turkey and spinach casserole in a slow cooker topped with cheese
    Turkey and spinach casserole in a slow cooker topped with cheese
    Turkey spinach and pepper jack cheese casserole in a black bowl with a fork
    Turkey spinach and pepper jack cheese casserole in a black bowl with a fork
    Turkey and spinach casserole in a slow cooker topped with cheese
    Crockpot Turkey spinach and pepper jack cheese casserole in a black bowl with a fork
    ⏬SKIP STRAIGHT TO RECIPE⏬

    Slow cooker ground turkey spinach pepper Jack casserole is an amazing meal that you will want to serve often. It is an easy-to-make, healthy dish that has fantastic flavor!

    Turkey spinach and pepper jack cheese casserole in a black bowl with a fork

    You need to add this simple recipe to your meal rotation.  Ground turkey and spinach make it super healthy and the pepper jack cheese gives it a nice kick.  It will quickly become a favorite recipe of the whole family! 

    Cooking with fat free ground turkey allows you to skip browning the meat in advance  Less dishes to wash, less messes to clean! Easy meals are just the best!

    Are you on team No-Advanced-Cooking with me?  If you are, check out these other delicious ground turkey recipes (and ground chicken too!): ground turkey tacos, Buffalo chicken sloppy Joes, and Asian chicken spring rolls.  None of these require advanced cooking.  

    Jump to:
    • 📝Shopping list
    • 🔪How to make it
    • 🍽Serving suggestions
    • 🔁Substitutions
    • Storing leftovers
    • 😉Hints & hacks
    • ❓❔❓FAQ
    • 📖 Recipe

    📝Shopping list

    Slow cooker ground turkey spinach and pepper jack cheese casserole ingredients with lables

    Exact quantities and detailed instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.  

    To make this healthy ground turkey recipe you will need:

    • ground turkey - fat free is best when you are not browning it in advance
    • mushrooms - button or baby bellas, sliced
    • onion - one medium diced onion add just the right amount of flavor 
    • beef broth - for moisture and flavor
    • flour - to help thicken the dish
    • beef soup mix - you can use powdered granules or even a bouillon cube 
    • garlic powder - because it's delicious on everything 😉
    • salt and pepper - to taste if you feel it's needed
    • pepper Jack cheese - this should be shredded.  Some will get mixed in and some will be melted on top.
    • fresh baby spinach - you can use frozen in a pinch, but it would have to be defrosted and thoroughly drained

    🔪How to make it

    Prepare your slow cooker by coating it with a non-stick agent of some sort. You can use a nonstick cooking spray or oil of choice. 

    NOTE:  Some slow cookers come with a nonstick surface.  Many of these models still recommend using a nonstick agent, but suggest using an oil rather than a spray. 

    Alternatively, you can choose to use a slow cooker liner.  

    Add ingredients

    Add all ingredients on the list, other than spinach and cheese, into your slow cooker.  Use a spoon or spatula to break up the uncooked, ground turkey.  If you don't, it will cook in a solid chunk.  

    However, be careful not to mix it up too much.  Ground turkey that is stirred too long can become mushy.   

    Ground turkey, mushrooms, onions and spices in slow cooker before cooking

    Cooking time

    Cook your slow cooker ground turkey casserole dish on low until the turkey is cooked through.  Turkey is safe to eat once it reaches 165℉.  This generally takes me about 3-4 hours on the low heat setting.

    If you are crunched for time, your turkey spinach pepper jack casserole can cook on high heat for 1.5 - 2 hours.  Turkey can go from cooked to overcooked more quickly this way. Therefore, keeping a closer eye on it the first time you try it out is important.  

    Use a rubber spatula to break up the cooked ground turkey mixture.  It will tend to will connect together a bit during the cooking process.  

    Finishing touches

    Turkey and spinach casserole in a slow cooker topped with cheese

    About 15 minutes prior to serving, stir in cheese and then spinach.  At first, it will feel as though you are adding too much spinach. However, spinach shrinks tremendously as it cooks.  

    Cover and cook on low until cheese is fully melted and spinach is wilted.  This takes me about 15 minutes or so.  

    Serve promptly and enjoy!

    🍽Serving suggestions

    One of the best things about this amazing crock pot dish is how many delicious serving options there are. Here are some favorites:

    1. Top with sour cream and sliced green onions.  
    2. Garnish with diced fresh cilantro, diced green chiles, red pepper flakes, or a squeeze of fresh lime juice.  
    3. Serve over white rice, brown rice, shredded hash browns, pasta, or riced cauliflower.  
    4.  Stuffing the turkey mixture into crunchy raw bell peppers is another great idea.
    5.  Wrapping this ground turkey mixture in lettuce wraps is also a great way to serve it!
    6. This delicious recipe is great when served wrapped in flour tortillas.
    7. Finally, try serving in a large bowl on game day with tortilla chips for a fun finger food option.  
    Turkey spinach and pepper jack cheese casserole in a black bowl with a fork

    🔁Substitutions

    1. If you prefer this dish mild, substitute monterey jack, sharp cheddar cheese, or mozzarella cheese for the pepper jack. 
    2. Ground chicken or ground beef can be used in place of ground turkey.  If you choose lean ground beef, it should be browned first and the fat drained before adding it to your slow cooker. 
    3. Try using onion or chicken broth in place of beef broth for a slightly different flavor.  

    Storing leftovers

    Store leftovers of this family favorite in an airtight container.  It will last 3-4 days in the refrigerator or about 4 months in the freezer.  

    Frozen leftovers should be allowed to defrost in the refrigerator for about 24 hours before reheating.  They can then be easily reheated in the microwave.  

    If you love this recipe, please let me know in the comment section below!

    😉Hints & hacks

    1. Using a slow cooker liner is an optional step. I like to purchase my liners in bulk for a less expensive per-piece price
    2. Use a meat thermometer for confirmation that ground turkey is safe to eat. According to the FDA, turkey is ready to eat when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F
    3. Store leftovers in meal-sized portions for easy, next day reheat-and-eat.
    4. This slow cooker ground turkey recipe is perfect to double for a crowd. Just double all ingredients in the same proportions.  Do not change the cooking time. 
    5. While freshly shredded cheese melts best, I make this turkey spinach pepper jack casserole with the pre-shredded kind too.  Pre-shredded makes this easy recipe the perfect option for quick dinner prep. 
    6. In the market for a new slow cooker? I love mine!
    7. Always double check to make sure your slow cooker is on and plugged in!!! Coming home to a cold slow cooker is the worst feeling ever! 

    ❓❔❓FAQ

    Q: Does ground turkey need to be browned before adding it to my slow cooker?

    A: No!  This is a true dump-and-go recipe that does not require you to cook anything in advance.  However, please note the the recipe assumes the use of fat-free turkey.  
    You may want to brown it in a large skillet if you use ground turkey with a higher fat percentage. After browning, drain the excess, liquid fat before adding it to your slow cooker.

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases and affiliate links.

    📖 Recipe

    Slow cooker turkey spinach and pepper jack cheese casserole in a black bowl with a fork

    Slow Cooker Ground Turkey, Spinach, Pepper Jack Casserole

    Slow cooker ground turkey spinach pepper Jack casserole is an amazing meal that you will want to make often. It is a healthy dish that is easy to make that has an amazing flavor everyone will love.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate Save Saved!
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 4 hours hours
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 392kcal
    Author: The Lazy slow cooker
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • 4 qt slow cooker or larger
    • measuring spoons and cups
    • Knife and cutting board
    • Mixing Spoon

    Ingredients

    • 1 - 1.5 lbs ground turkey fat free
    • 8 oz mushrooms sliced
    • 1 medium onion diced
    • ½ cup beef broth
    • 3 tablespoon flour
    • 1 tablespoon beef or onion soup mix powder
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • salt and pepper to taste
    • 2 cups pepper Jack cheese shredded and divided
    • 10 fresh baby spinach
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • grease slow cooker with a nonstick cooking spray or oil
    • place ground turkey into slow cooker and use a spatula to break it up
      1 - 1.5 lbs ground turkey
    • add remaining ingredients other than cheese and spinach and stir to combine
      8 oz mushrooms, 1 medium onion, ½ cup beef broth, 3 tablespoon flour, 1 tablespoon beef or onion soup mix powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • cook on low for 3-4 hours or until turkey is cooked through
    • add spinach and 1.5 cups of cheese and stir to combine. top with remaining cheese
      2 cups pepper Jack cheese, 10 fresh baby spinach
    • cover and cook until cheese is melted and spinach is wilted (this takes me 15 - 20 minutes)
    • serve and enjoy!
      salt and pepper to taste

    Notes

    do not overwork the ground turkey before cooking as it can become a bit mushy
    fat-free ground turkey works well with this dish.  If you use ground turkey with a higher fat content, you may want to brown it first and drain the fat.  

    Nutrition

    Calories: 392kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 44g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 113mg | Sodium: 665mg | Potassium: 659mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 698IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 441mg | Iron: 2mg

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    Welcome to The Lazy Slow Cooker. I am so happy you are here! My name is Susan (yep - I am Lazy Susan!) and I am the recipe developer/blogger behind these posts. I am the mom of three amazing but super busy kids and the wife of one awesome and also super busy guy. All 5 of us have very different schedules and I would not survive mealtime without my crockpot. Read More…

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